Crutch and the like.



T. CARE.

CRUTCH AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.27. 1915.

Patented Dec. 14, 1915.

Th omas (a re IN VENTOR.

sans an men.

THOMAS CARE, 01? MGKEESIPORT, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO DAVID R. CAMPBELL, OF MONESSEN, PENNSYLVANIA.

CRUTCH AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 27, 1915. Serial No. 24,337.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS CARE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Me- Keesport, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Crutches and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to crutches and the like, and pertains more particularly to that type of device, which will prevent the bearer of the crutch from falling on a slippery surface, attention being paid to the gripping element embodied in the improvement.

There have been several patents granted for crutch construction, but as yet none have been disclosed, wherein the adjusting of the gripping element is controlled from the hand rest, and the primary object of this invention resides in the provision of means, whereby the user of the crutch may adjust the gripping spur and withdraw the same, upon any occasion, by simply lifting and turning the operating shaft. Heretofore, spurs have been mounted in any desired manner in the ferrule, and necessitate the lifting of the crutch to make the proper adjustment of the spur. It is obvious that with my improved construction, that crutches of this particular type, may be adj usted at any time with perfect safety to the user.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the sev eral views, Figure 1. is a side elevation of my improved crutch with the attachment thereto. Fig. 2. is a vertical sectional view of the lower part of the crutch, showing the spur projecting from the crutch. Fig. 3. is a vertical sectional view of the crutch broken away, and showing the spur in retracted or inoperative position. Fig. 4. is a fragmental sectional view of a part of the crutch with the spur carrying element and the spur in elevation. .Fig. 5. is a perspective of the spur element and the operating rod, with the latter broken away. Fig. 6. is a perspective view of the operating rod and the adjusting plate.

The crutch 1, may be of any desired construction, comprising a shank 2, which is longitudinally bored to form the slot 3, through which extends the rod 4, which will be later more fully described. The lower part of the crutch consists of a metallic tube or ferrule 5, which at its upper end is secured to the crutch shank 2, by screws 6, or in any manner, the lower portion of the said ferrule or tube forming the base of the crutch.

Secured to the rod 4, at its lower end is a metallic solid member 7, which carries the spur 8, detachably mounted therein. The spur 8, is substantially cone shaped, having a sharp point to allow it to grip surfaces when in contact therewith. The solid member 7, is formed witha circular portion 9, suitably apertured for the reception of the shank 10, of the spur. The upper portion of the solid member 7, is rectangular in shape and comprises a flange 11.

A sleeve 12, is attached to the tube by screws at one end of the crutch shank proper and is apertured for the reception of the operating rod 4, which passes therethrough. The sleeve 12, is slotted at 13, and the flange portion 11, of the solid member 7, is adapted to normally seat therein, when the rod is adjusted, and said sleeve is provided with grooves 14, on its lower edges into which fits the end of the flange portion 11, of the solid piece 7, when the spur is in outer or operative position.

The upper end of the operating rod 4, is provided with an enlarged head 15, and the said rod extends through the plate 16, spanning the crutch bars 17' and 18 and secured thereto by means of screws or' otherwise.

The plate 16, serves to hold the adjustingrod in position and is provided with a slot 17. The adjusting rod is formed with the grooves 18 and 19, so that the same may be inserted into the plate slot 17. The upper groove 18, is resorted to in connection with the plate slot 17. when it is desired to extend the spur, and the lower groove 19, is resorted to when the spur is in retracted position, serving to hold the rod in the different positions.

By locating the rod head 15, in close proximity to the handle grip, the user of the crutch may without any trouble, make the desired regulation, dispensing with the reversing of the crutch and the uncertainty of equilibrium during the aforesaid operation.

It will be seen that the adjustment of the spur is practicab-ly instantaneous, and merely requires a twist or turn of the knob or head to operate the adjusting rod, and

cause the solid piece 7, and the spur to be lowered in the tube.

If desired, rubber pads or cushions may be used, provision being made for the passage of the spur therethrough, illustrated in dotted position in Fig. 3. A washer not shown may be inserted between the rubber cushion and the end of the tube or ferrule.

It is obvious that a crutch embodying my improved construction is simple of construction and operation,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to, which come' within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is, as follows:

1. In a crutch comprising spaced bars connected intermediate their length by a handle grip and terminating at their lower ends into a shank portion, having a longitudinal bore, a ferrule secured to the end of said shank and having a portion projecting beyond the end thereof, a sleeve secured to said ferrule within the projecting portion and provided with a longitudinal bore, said sleeve being formed with a diametrically disposed slot and groove, an operating rod -adjustably mounted in said shank and sleeve bores, and a spur carrying member secured to said rod and having a flange portion adapted to fit within the slot and groove of said sleeve, when the rod is actuated to retract and project the said spur carrying member within the said ferrule.

2. In a crutch comprising a shank portion having a longitudinal bore, a ferrule secured to the lower end of the shank and having a portion projecting beyond the end thereof, a sleeve disposed within the projecting portion of said ferrule and secured thereto, said sleeve having a longitudinal bore and formed with a diametrically disposed slot and groove, an operating rod adjustably mounted in said shank bore and passing through said sleeve and a member carried by said rod formed with a flange at one end and a spur at the opposite end, the said member flange adapted to seat in said collar slot upon the upward adjustment of the rod and to seat in the collar groove upon the downward adjustment thereof, whereby the spur is raised and lowered with respect to said ferrule.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS GARE.

Vitnesses S'rrrnnx DOWNHAM, FRANCIS H. CARE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. e." 

